If you’re an avid blackjack player, you must have heard the term “Side bets” at least a couple of times. But do you even understand what exactly this phrase means? If you haven’t, well, no worries. In this article, we look into what these side bets mean and determine if they are worth your time. Let’s get right into it.
A Quick Breakdown of Blackjack Side Bets
From the name, it’s not so difficult to deduce what side bets are. They are separate wagers different from the main bet, placed as the game unfolds either at the beginning of or during the round depending on the game rules. The goal is to correctly guess the cards that other players and the dealer will receive.
Since these side bets are independent of the main wager, it’s possible to lose your main bet and win the side or vice versa. It’s also possible to win both depending on the game’s outcome.
However, it’s important to note that these side wagers usually have a higher house edge than the regular game. In other words, there’s an increased chance of losing more money when playing this way. But the upside is that you can also place as many side bets as the table limit allows and you can win a payout that could be many times what you would normally get on your main bet.
What are Some Popular Side Bets to Play in Blackjack?
Many types of side bets exist in blackjack but not every online casino in the USA offers all of them. Nevertheless, the following are some common ones you can expect to find at most blackjack tables in US blackjack casinos:
Insurance
This is the most popular side bet option you will find at almost every standard blackjack table, as it’s best if you wish to protect your hand from the dealer’s blackjack. When the dealer’s up-card is an Ace and you believe they will get a winning hand, you can insure against them. If your side bet wins, you will get 2:1 on your original wager as a payout.
21+3 Blackjack
Here is another popular side wager where you make a separate bet on the dealer’s face-up card and your first two cards dealt. In doing so, you predict that the combination of these three cards will result in a valid poker hand. If your prediction is correct, your payout could be between 5:1 and as high as 100:1 depending on the outcome.
Perfect Pair
When you place this wager, your first two cards determine the outcome. You could wager on either of the following and get the corresponding payout:
- Different suits and color pay 5:1 (mixed pair)
- Same suit and same color pays 12:1 (colored pair)
- Same card and suit pays 25:1 (perfect pair)
Royal Match
This is a straightforward side bet where you have to wager that both your first cards will be a King and Queen of the same suit. Usually, if you win and it’s a single-deck game, you walk away with a 10:1 payout. However, since it’s now difficult to find single-deck blackjack games when you play in a multi-deck blackjack game, the payout is 25:1.
Match the Dealer
Here, you have a side bet where your first two cards must match the dealer’s face-up card for you to win. If they match but are of different suits, the payoff is 4:1, but if the suits are the same, the payout is usually 11:1. However, note that the exact value may differ depending on the casino.
Are Side Bets Worth Playing?
The answer to this is not as straightforward as you may think. If you’re playing blackjack just for the fun of it and nothing more, you can consider placing bets by the side. Doing so helps add to the thrill of the game, and since your main bet is independent of the side, you only have so much to lose.
On the other hand, if you prefer to play the odds and get the maximum returns possible, you might want to think twice. This is because side wagers have a higher house edge which means you have lower chances of a favorable outcome. Also, note that the outcome of these bets are strictly based on luck and does not involve any skill.
Considering all these, it’s best to determine the pros and cons before participating in any side bet.
Our Final Thoughts
Undeniably, side bets are a great way to make your blackjack gaming experience more interesting. However, it’s important to understand all we’ve discussed if you want to include them in your gameplay and stand a winning chance. The ball is in your court; Good Luck.
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